The National Forest Inventory, 2002-2006

The annual increment seems to stabilise at about 25.5 million cubic metres. For the first time, the increment decreased slightly from 2005 to 2006. In 1933, the annual increment was 10 million cubic metres.

More broad-leaved

Spruce is the most common species of tree, with 45 per cent of growing stock, followed by pine with 33 per cent and broad-leaved with 22 per cent. During recent decades, the share of broad-leaved has increased and spruce decreased. In 1967, spruce amounted to 52 per cent and broad-leaved 17 per cent. The share of pine has been stable in the period. The growing stock of all species of tree has increased, and is now 70 per cent larger than 40 years ago. After the last calculations including the survey in 2006, growing stock amounted to 748 million cubic metres. The Norwegian growing stock is only a quarter of that of Sweden; the most heavily timbered country in Europe.

More spruce in Western Norway

Spruce is most common in Sør-Trøndelag and Nord-Trøndelag and represents 63 per cent of the volume of growing stock in these counties. In the heavily forested counties in the eastern part of Norway spruce also amount to more than half of the volume. In the northern part of Norway, broad-leaved is most common, with 63 per cent of the volume of growing stock. In the western parts of the country, the growing stock is of the same volume for spruce, pine and broad-leaved. Fifteen years ago, spruce corresponded to a quarter of the volume.

The productive forest area below the coniferous forest line, except for Finnmark, is estimated at 74,148 square kilometres. In addition, 17,100 square kilometres is considered as unproductive forest area. The total area of wooded land is approximately 120,000 square kilometres.

Tables:

• Table 1 Growing stock inside bark and annual increment inside bark. The whole country. 1933-2006. 1 000 m³
• Table 2 Total area, by type of vegetation and surveyed regions. km²
• Table 3 Productive forest area, by development class. The National Forest Inventory. 1 000 hectares and per cent
• Table 4 Growing stock under bark, by type of land, species of tree and surveyed regions. 1 000 m³
• Table 5 Annual increment under bark, by type of land, species of tree and surveyed regions. 1 000 m³